(Radio Iowa) – In honor of Arbor Day, community leaders in Dubuque will break ground Saturday on what will eventually grow to become a community orchard. Laura Roussell, executive director of Dubuque Trees Forever, says they’ll plant a few fruit trees this weekend with plans to add between 15 and 20 more trees over the coming few years. Roussell says, “We’re going to have apple, cherry and pear, and also some berry bushes like a honey berry, raspberry, maybe blueberry, we haven’t finalized the whole list yet.” The triangular plot of land is considered a city park, but it’s never been developed. Where some saw empty ground, Roussell saw an opportunity.

“We had this vacant lot that’s just been mowed for many, many years, and we thought, this is located in a food desert, and we thought it would be a great place to have free, fresh fruit for the people in the neighborhood,” Roussell says, “and also any leftovers would go to the food pantry.” In addition to the fruit trees, the community orchard will also include what Roussell is calling a Mowing to Monarchs pollinator garden to benefit bees, butterflies and other important insects. She hopes this orchard marks the start of something special that’ll endure for decades.

“We get volunteers that sign up to plant, weed, mulch, all of those things, so that that trees that we plant will have a long and successful life,” Roussell says. “It’s just going to be a really beautiful — and edible — addition to the neighborhood.”

The public is invited to Saturday’s 10 A-M free event at the corner of Hill and Caledonia Streets.

(Radio Iowa) – The City of Waterloo is planning to convert a long vacant Rath meatpacking plant building into almost 90 affordable apartments for seniors. Waterloo City Administrator Noel Anderson says that could free up many single-family homes for first-time home-buyers, and could mean revitalization for the city. “We need that new construction or rehabilitation of senior housing greatly in Waterloo to help open some of these existing neighborhoods for new housing opportunities,” he says.

The administration building is over 70 thousand square feet and has been vacant since 1985 when the company went bankrupt. Anderson says the building will be will converted into studio, one bedroom and two-bedroom apartments. “Sometimes it’s a matter of having more options out there for seniors will help reinvest back into those neighborhoods not only with new owners, but with a new populations,” he says.

Former Rath Meatpacking Plant in Waterloo

The city anticipates construction will get underway this summer.

(Griswold, Iowa) – The Cass County Coalition for Mental Wellness will host a Mental Wellness Panel on Thursday, May 9, 2024, at the Griswold Community Building (601 2nd Street, Griswold, Iowa 51535). A free meal will be provided at 5:30 pm. The presentation will begin at 6:00 pm. Community members of all ages are welcome to join as we discuss resiliency strategies, emotional support for our youth, and local resources for therapy and crisis situations. No pre-registration is required.

Panelists who are scheduled to share their expertise include Erika Kirchhoff, Mary-Beth Roskens, Debrenee Grajeda, Carolyn Bruck, and Melanie Fell. The panelists are local service providers with organizations that work in and around Cass County and provide assistance to local residents. There will also be booths set up to explore local mental health resources before and after the event.

If you are unable to attend in person, please join us through Zoom. The QR code is attached to the Flyer or contact Grace McAfee for the link. The Zoom call will also be confidential for those who would like the option to be anonymous. Anita and Atlantic libraries will also be satellite hosts for those unable to join the Zoom meeting from home. If you are interested in viewing the event from the library, please reserve your space by calling Grace McAfee (712-250-8170) by May 8. No meal will be provided at the library satellite locations. If you are unable to find transportation but would like to attend in person, please contact Grace to arrange free transportation by May 8.

Michelle Hartfield of the Cass County Coalition for Mental Wellness invites residents to “Come hear a panel of professionals on available resources and learn how to navigate mental health and substance abuse services in our communities. Cass County has several resources available that go underutilized. This event will give attendees a chance to learn about mental health services that are available in our backyard.”

This event is sponsored generously by the Healthy Cass County Coalition with funding from the Healthiest State Initiative Grant and Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company. If you have any further questions, please contact Grace McAfee at (712) 250-8170 or mcage@casshealth.org.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – A Public hearing was held this (Wednesday) morning in Greenfield, on a proposed Adair County Ordinance regulating the placement of Data Centers. Applied Digital has an agreement to purchase land adjacent to a substation in the 1200 block of Fallow Avenue in Adair County, for a 200-megawatt data center. During the hearing, an Adair County resident said there are too many questions about the definition of a data center and specifics regarding setbacks, water usage and other property matters.

Adair County farmer Randy Caviness has wind turbines on his land, and is concerned about stopping progress and losing the opportunity to bring in jobs.

Others mentioned similar concerns, along with the affect on property values.

One of Applied Digital’s owners, Nick Phillips, said he was surprised at the amount of “Pushback” in the community since the data center was first proposed. He spoke about increasing property values and the investment in the county it would bring, along with jobs.

He addressed also, the question about the property setback.

Former State Representative and Adair County property owner Clel Baudler, urged the Board not to “Over-regulate private industry.”

Supervisor John Twombly said the County Attorney recommended the Board take no action, due to possible legal repercussions. Supervisors Jodie Hoadley and Matt Wedemeyer agreed there’s nothing they can do to stop Applied Digital, but there should have been a better plan for property setbacks. The Supervisors voted 3-2 against a motion by Board member John Twombly NOT to pass an ordinance regulating data centers on the 1^st reading. Wedemeyer made, and the Board passed, a motion to modify the wording in the draft proposed ordinance in setbacks and the definition of a commercial building, and have a public hearing on the second and possibly third consideration, on May 8^th at 9:15-a.m.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – Officials with the Glenwood Police Department report four Glenwood residents were arrested this (Wednesday) morning, on drug charges. Authorities say:

• 52-year-old Bret Samuelson was arrested for Possession of a controlled substance 3rd offense (Bond $2,000).
• 50-year-old Edwin Rogers was arrested for 3 counts child endangerment, Gathering, 2 counts of possession of controlled substances and poss. of drug paraphernalia (Bond $23,300).
• 43-year-old Crystal McCann was arrested for 2 counts child endangerment, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia (Bond $12,300). And,
• 18-year-old Jasmine Cadena was arrested for possession of a controlled substance (Bond $1,000).